THE SECEETAKY'S PORTFOLIO. 203 



carefully so as not to break them ; then, with a sharp knife, cut off the tap- 

 low temperature. Again, orchards and the less hardy ornamental trees are 

 often materially injured by cold winds when the same degree of temperature 

 during still days would have no effect. The value of screens of some sort, then, 

 seems clear enough. Anything made of wood decays easily, and unless kept in 

 most perfect repair becomes unsightly, beside requiring a considerable outlay in 

 the beginning. Small evergreens cost but little ; their plantation is a pleasure ;. 

 their care is amply paid for in their growth, and there is no waste of capital in 

 their decay. If placed on the side toward the prevailing wind, from the build- 

 ing, walk, or orchard to be protected, they soon perform to perfect satisfaction 

 the work intended. 



I write about this topic now because at this season we feel the winds most 

 and will be the most easily influenced to look into the matter, decide upon the- 

 location, and order the trees for setting next month. 



As our country becomes gradually denuded of its forest growth something of 

 this sort must take its place, to molify our climate and keep up our credit as a 

 thoroughly good State in which to locate. S. Q. Lent. 



HOW TO PLANT DECIDUOUS TREES. 



The best time for planting it when trees and shrubs are dormant, that is after 

 they have made their season's growth and before they have begun to start 

 afresh. Deciduous trees speak for themselves; when their leaves have fallen 

 they may be said to be at rest, and they should be transplanted before the buds- 

 have begun to swell, not that there is much mischief in a little delay, but the 

 proper time is before the buds have become excited. The next point is to take- 

 up the tree with every fibre, if possible, undamaged, and more care is required 

 to do this than many think proper to bestow upon it. I have seen valuable 

 trees literally torn up by the roots in some nurseries because the men would not 

 take the trouble to lift them properly. How, therefore, can such trees be ex- 

 pected to thrive for at least a season or two after removal? Again, if the roots- 

 are mutilated the head of the tree must be reduced in proportion. Moreover, 

 in planting, the earth must be made to fill up all the interstices between the 

 roots — there must be no hollow places ; and, when a tree has been much muti- 

 lated, it is a good plan to puddle or, at least, make the pit, in which the tree is- 

 to be put, a kind of a mud hole, that is, pour into it two or three pailfuls of 

 water, and throw in a cone of loose earth, on which the tree should be placed,, 

 spreading out the roots well and filling up all round with loose soil. By mov- 

 ing the tree sideways, backwards and forwards, lifting it now and then a little, 

 and continuing to fill in with earth, it may be made a fixture at a proper height, 

 and a little patience will enable you to hold it moderately firm until stakes can 

 be put in to support it until the soil settles. This kind of treatment is unnec- 

 essary when trees are small and carefully lifted, as they should be. I prefer 

 dry planting when the soil is in good order and finely broken ; it can then al- 

 ways be got in among the roots well enough to answer the purpose. In that 

 case the point of most importance is to take the plants up well. Dig round 

 them in a circle, as far from the stems as the ends extend, and release the latter 



